STUCK TRUCK

So Monday I am at work and the snow is coming down ALL day. It is beautiful until you have to drive in it. It is lovely until you realize you don't have 4 wheel drive and you don't have any sandbags in the back of the pickup. I plan to leave at 4 so at least if I slide off the road one of the 400 employees at Best Friends will see me and can pull me out or give me a ride. This is when I really really appreciate the fact that I genuinely like everyone I work with and I go out of my way to be nice to everyone no matter what department or job; I like them all. You never know when you will be stuck at the side of the road just shy of 8 months pregnant, legs hurting, feet fat and freezing, hair wet and matted on your head just hoping for someone anyone to save you…

In addition, I have a yoga class to teach at 5:30 p.m. and I am tired. Not worked all day tired but worked all day, forgot to take my meds, carrying around a 20 pound, nutrient sucking, energy stealing, stamina draining, bundle of joy that is now playing havoc on my back, legs and circulatory system tired. I am determined however not to cancel the damn yoga class. So out to the truck I go, scraping windows, warming car, getting in car, backing car out, sliding, sliding, correcting, sliding, correcting, sliding, cursing, cursing, sliding. Yes, I slid sideways until I hit the pavers that line our slanted driveway. The forward and back motion doesn’t help because my tires get stuck in the previous tire marks and I slide right back to the pavers. Getting out of the car, walking back to office and asking coworker for a ride home, getting yoga clothes out of truck, scraping co-workers window and getting a ride home. Yoga did make me feel better I must say although it was the first week in 31 weeks where I wasn’t able to keep up with my own class!

Next day was sunny and beautiful and I asked the maintenance guys who were pulling a car next door out if they could pull my truck out. The truck they had was spinning its wheels and couldn’t move my little truck. Because of the way the truck was against the pavers they either had to move the pavers so they wouldn’t hurt my axle OR get the big tractor snow plow and lift the trucks back end out. I guess they decided that using the tractor sounded much better than digging out 25 pavers that weigh 75 pounds each - dry. From the photo it looks like they are going to lift it out with the snow plow end. They don't. They tie a rope around the other scoopy end and pull and lift with that.

Dogs, Dogs, Dogs

Photo by Molly Wald

Little Red and DogTown Manager Ed.

Needless to say, Daron and I are really enjoy living out west and being involved with all the animals at Best Friends. We are going to start going up on our days off and socializing & walking some of the dogs at the Sanctuary. They are all great and because I work with many of them when I take groups out to volunteer I have a few favorites. Daron and I have also enjoyed watching the National Geographic shows on Best Friends Dogtown. The vet that took care of Rodeo, Dr. Patti, is in many of them as well as all of our friends. In a small town you socialize with those you work with and you see them in the grocery store, gas station, Dr.'s office, pharmacy, bank and restaurants! The link to see when the Nat. Geo shows are airing again is http://www.bestfriends.org/dogtown/ I met one of the producers from Nat. Geo last night in the gym - small town what can I say? If it gets enough response then they will keep producing the DogTown series. Fingers crossed.

Photo by Best Friends

Best Friends also took in 22 of ex-NFL player Michael Vicks dogs. I was able to meet them today and I must say if Zeena was a nicer dog we would have one of these shy little love bugs in our house. We couldn't talk about them at all until the gag order was lifted but now it is lifted so we will be posting stories about them on our website. http://www.bestfriends.org/vickdogs/ All of them are shy dogs but crave attention. When you talk to them their little tags start wagging. One that I particularly liked had a face full of scars but he didn't seem to hold it against anyone. He was cuddly and loving and played with his ball and a kong that was filled with dog treats. He looked as though he was settling right in. It was hard to see the dogs that were anxious and pacing but hopefully in time they will settle down and realize that they now live in heaven and that their fighting days (or worse their bait days) are over.

Daron and I went to Rodeo's memorial site yesterday and placed his new memorial stone. It is so beautiful and the photo Daron chose is perfect. I am so lucky to have Daron as my husband. As we were driving to Angels Overlook we saw a bald eagle sitting on top of a hoodoo. Every time I visit Rodeo's grave I see a single animal. This is the second or third time we have seen the eagle. There was a bald eagle circling when we went to visit Rodeo on December 24th. I am glad we went yesterday because it was in the 50's and sunny. Today it is snowing - big white flakes.

"It's Not a Tumor"

I have been running around the Sanctuary saying "It's Not a Tumor" all week. Ah, pregnancy fun, I tell ya...

Addy is moving around like crazy and I feel like my belly button is going to explode. The Dr. assures me that that has never happened but I am still suspicious. Daron has been taking good care of me by cooking and doing laundry. He even gives me daily foot rubs and that is not his favorite thing to do. He bought a beautiful granite headstone for Rodeo the other day. We haven't placed it yet but when we do I will post a photo.

Well I have to thank Miss Sarah, Chip and baby Madison for the three huge UPS boxes of baby/maternity stuff. Daron unpacked everything for me while I rehung the curtains in the baby area. I couldn't go through the boxes as it was WAY to overwhelming for me! He kept picking up cute little pink outfits going "Oh, look at this, for little Addy, it is so tiny" my response was, of course, "That is not very small not small at all. Please tell me that is 3 - 6 months and NOT a newborn." Yes, it is all fun and games until I think about our dear little daughter making her grand exit/entrance. It is the exit I am worried about! Ha. So you see me in a photo (please overlook the horrible hair - I just got back from teaching Yoga - Oh it looked equally as bad before Yoga don't get me wrong...) Anyhow, I am holding a special thank you for Sarah for the maternity clothes, breast pump (two words I NEVER thought I would say) and baby stuff. I guess we were lucky that we got pregnant after you! My sister Lisa spoiled Daron this Christmas with a personalized RAIDER shirt. In fact, she didn't think the first order went through so now he has a grey and a black personalized Raider shirt. For all of you who know Daron you know these will be well worn.

Our new bedroom colors came from the baby room which was looking far too dark and daunting. My mother was afraid that Addy would be wearing gothic clothes white makeup and black lipstick and it took me a few weeks but I started to agree! Therefore, I moved much of the black and white home goods into our room. Daron liked it until I got the cheesy satin bedspread from the ONLY store in Kanab that sells more than food - the Family Dollar. I can't help it I was anxious to have a matching bedspread. Needless to say, he immediately laid down on it and struck a sexy pose. I got the point but it will do for now!

The baby area is currently full of junk, baby stuff, diapers, and what nots. I am hoping that Daron's Mom can help me pull it all together. I guess Daron and I will have to eventually buy baby furniture - that right there would help it look more like a baby room. Anyhow, for now it has some fabulous curtains that my Mom and I made and lots of colorful goodies from our friends.

Well, for all you that doubt you'd ever see a belly on Jen... Here ya go. This is a pic at 7 weeks compared to a pic at 27 weeks! Addyson is one lively little baby, and she is getting bigger by the minute. Jen is my hero, and is doing a great job entering into the last trimester. She even looks HOT in maternity jeans that she just tried on for the upcoming 3 months. This is getting exciting.
D

Congratulations Officer Nagle!

On January 4, 2008 the entire Nagle clan, Karen Crumback, Cathie & Bill and 15 or so of Lisa's closest friends attended Lisa's graduation ceremony for the Louisvill Metro Police Training Academy for the officers of Metro Academy Class 12. I believe it was 25 that graduated three of the graduates were females.

Lisa is now officially Officer Nagle. Not only did she complete the training but she was the top dog when it came to her driving skills. Needless to say, many of the male trainees were not too thrilled to come in behind a girl but whatever! In addition, she kicked major butt in the physical testing and was once again top dog. Are you seeing a theme here? After her graduation we watched a video of her being Tazed ( I have no idea how to spell that but you all get the idea) and her being not just sprayed but doused in pepper spray (mouth open - because one of the trainers challenged her). After her dousing she had to run an obstacle course, beat up dummies, shoot a bad guy and more.

Our Dad walked up on stage and pinned her badge on her which was very exciting and touching. They both stood tall and did the Nagle name proud!

Our Mom arranged a wonderful luncheon at the Brown Hotel to honor Officer Nagle and it was great to all sit together and review the morning festivities.

The Wheelers (Uncle Mel and Aunt Pam) came through town to visit and congratulate Lisa! It was great to see them and have the whole clan together.